KEEPER Chris Smith went from bombscare to Dunfermline disposal expert last night and won high praise from boss Jim McIntyre.

The Pars understudy was called into action moments before kick-off after regular choice Iain Turner felt his back spasm in the warm-up.

Smith has been haunted by a series of howlers recently, particularly against Inverness in the Scottish Cup, but proved his bravery as Pars secured the point that sees them move to join Hibs at the foot of the SPL.

Smith made a string of super second-half stops, including one from point-blank range to deny Paul Heffernan the winner that would have hoisted Killie into the top six.

Instead both point teams settled for a point after James Fowler’s 20th-minute opener was cancelled out by Dunfermline hitman Andy Kirk just before half-time.

McIntyre said: “Chris handled it great. You’ve seen our park – it’s hard to play on. Some of those passbacks were like bouncing bombs.

“There were a couple he had to deal with and he also had at least one fantastic save to keep us in the match.

“We wanted to win to go above Hibs but we’ve at least got a point and stopped the rot after two defeats in a row.

“We had two opportunities one on one in the second half and Martin Hardie also had a great effort saved near the end, though Killie had chances as well.”

Gazza made an appearance at East End Park but only over the PA system as the DJ played Fog On The Tyne in reference to the weather-related postponement of this fixture back in December.

Pars, with their January signings from Rangers – Jordan McMillan and Kyle Hutton – in the starting line-up, threatened first in an entertaining affair watched by a crowd of just 2303 as Andy Kirk’s 25-yarder flew narrowly over the junction of post and bar.

Liam Buchanan then sped past Manuel Pascali on the right wing and forced Killie keeper Cammy Bell to dive full stretch to paw his low cross out of the six-yard box. It landed at David Graham on the left but his cross-cum-shot was nodded to safety by Michael Nelson.

It was all looking positive for the Pars – then Killie marched up the field and netted the opener.

Full-back Lewis Joshney raced down the right and his cross into the box was a good one, with McMillan only able to head it out to the fringes of the area.

The ball dropped at Fowler’s feet and he steadied himself before driving a low 20-yard shot that wrongfooted Smith as it flew into the centre of the net.

Killie began to dominate possession and almost went two in front 10 minutes before half-time when Danny Racchi and Dean Shiels combined. Only a last-gasp intervention from Paddy Boyle prevented Heffernan poking home.

Shiels then found space at the edge of the box for a stinging shot Smith did well to hold low to his left before Racchi fired over from 25 yards.

The Pars were hanging on but two minutes from the interval they broke forward and turned the game on its head. Graham burst from central midfield and threaded a pass down the inside right channel where Buchanan was running back from an offside position.

He chose not to take an active role but the hesitation of the Killie defence allowed Kirk to continue his run from deep – and he was onside.

Bell rushed from goal but it was too late as the big striker slid a shot under his body and into the corner of the net.

Dunfermline were keen to build on their surprise equaliser and six minutes into the second half Graham was played in behind the Killie defence but shot wide from 12 yards with only Bell to beat.

The Pars almost had cause to regret that miss five minutes later when Kirk’s woefully short backpass sent Heffernan clean through on Smith.

The ex-St Mirren No.1 has been under as much scrutiny recently as Denise Welch’s marriage after some ropey performances but stood tall to brilliantly block the striker’s effort with his chest.

Smith was alert again moments later as Ben Gordon and Garry Hay scythed through the home defence down the left, but the latter’s shot was beaten away at the front post as the game opened up like the stars of Loose Women after a bottle of Blossom Hill.

Ref Calum Murray waved away strong penalty claims when Pascali appeared to barge Kirk as they challenged in the air for a Boyle cross.

A blatant trip on Toshney at the edge of the Pars box was then inexplicably dismissed by the whistler.

Smith again denied Hay, touching his free-kick around the post, but the keeper needed Mark Kerr to clear a Pascali header off the line in 83 minutes.

At the other end Bell rescued Killie, pushing away a fierce drive from Alex Keddie after Joe Cardle’s corner caused mayhem in the box.